SEC heavyweights likely landing spots for Oregon OF Angel Laya

The Oregon Ducks were fairly stunned when freshman outfielder Angel Laya announced he was entering the transfer portal last week. Now, the likely suspects are lining up around the corner for the freshman All-American slugger’s services.

On3’s Pete Nakos revealed that Laya has garnered interest from several SEC programs since entering the transfer portal, which won’t come as a shock to many Oregon baseball fans. Nakos reports that Texas, Texas A&M, LSU and Georgia have shown interest and appear to be frontrunners for one of the top available players in the portal.

The SEC was rumored to be a likely landing spot for Laya and other Oregon transfers given the NIL resources that the conference’s top programs have in comparison to the Ducks.

The Ducks’ season came to an end in SEC territory, being swept by Texas in the Austin Super Regional. After an otherwise stellar freshman campaign, Laya went 1-for-11 against the Longhorns with four strikeouts.

Laya starred for the Ducks from day one. He cranked two home runs in just his second game at PK Park and never took his foot off the gas after that. Laya finished the season slashing .296/.396/.538 with a .934 OPS and 47 RBIs. He set Oregon freshman records with 14 home runs, 49 runs scored and 120 total bases. Laya also showed rare patience at the plate for a young slugger, drawing 27 walks and 10 hit-by-pitches while striking out 34 times.

Oregon had hoped to build upon a Super Regional finish with a trio of terrific freshmen in the lineup. However, Laya’s decision to transfer was followed soon after by freshman designated hitter Naulivou Lauaki Jr. and sophomore catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus.

The Ducks have made a few additions in the portal so far, but their main goal is retaining valuable pieces like freshman catcher Brayden Jaksa and keeping their top committed recruits out of the MLB draft.

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